Programming Approach to Urban Transit Planning

A mathematical programming model based on the objective of maximizing net social benefits is developed to evaluate the effect of introducing a personal rapid transit system into the Minneapolis transit environment. The initial solution modeled on the Minneapolis Cordon Count considers the model characteristics of a system consisting of auto, bus, and PRT. The assumption that the demand for transit is a given function of transit characteristics underlies the derivation. The two characteristics of fare and time per trip are considered. Two sets of simulations are conducted. The first consists of the analysis of changes in transit demand. The second consists of changing the modal service characteristics which involves changing the average trip time. The major conclusions are: (1) the introduction of PRT is likely to result in a greater relative reduction of automobile than in bus use; (2) changes in PRT demand and efficiency have small effects on auto and bus use; and (3) reduction in the relative time of a bus trip is likely to be the key to increasing bus utilization.